Dub Hub: Klay Thompson expresses gratitude after emotional first game against the Warriors

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Wednesday, November 13th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Klay Thompson expresses gratitude after an emotional first game against the Warriors in the Chase Center.
• Draymond Green explains the competitiveness between the Warriors and Klay Thompson throughout Tuesday’s game.
• Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich suffered a mild stroke but is expected to make a full recovery, according to the team.

Klay Thompson’s first return to the Chase Center as a member of the Dallas Maverick was an emotional night for the Golden State Warriors and their fans. The Warriors organization honored their former star from the moment he arrived, with hundreds of team employees gathering to welcome him back to the visiting locker room.

The tribute continued with a touching pregame video celebrating Thompson’s 13 iconic years with Golden State. When his name was called as part of the Mavericks’ starting lineup, fans rose to their feet, saluting their captain’s hat in homage to the Bay Area’s beloved, boat-sailing Splash Brother.

On the court, the atmosphere was electric as Thompson and Steph Curry set the tone immediately by matching up from the opening tip. The two exchanged buckets and not-so-subtle jabs at each other throughout the night, showcasing the competitive fire that defined their dynastic run.

Thompson finished the game with a vintage 22-point performance, which included six three-pointers. However, Curry had the last laugh, taking over in the final moments scoring the Warriors’ final 12 points to cap off his 37-point night and secure the 120-117 victory.

Although the Warriors handed him the defeat this time around, Thompson expressed gratitude for the fans and the organization, looking ahead to their next face-off on February 12th in Dallas, where he’ll have another shot against his former team.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Wednesday, November 13th:

Warriors News:

Warriors/Mavs Postgame: Steph, Klay, Draymond, Melton, Coach Kerr Reactions | Nov 12, 2024

Mavs’ Klay Thompson celebrated by Warriors in Bay Area return | ESPN

“It was a memorable night for sure,” Curry said. “I know even from July when Klay decided to go to Dallas to us showing up for training camp and him not being here, it was kind of like a slow build to this night for everybody. ... And granted we won going so I can say this, but I couldn’t imagine it going any other way where he played well, the crowd got an amazing show, it went down to the wire. Can’t really draw it up any better — and definitely special memories to reflect on the 13 years he was here and the four championships and everything that we accomplished, and then turned the page to where we are right now.”

Klay Thompson wanted a low-key Warriors homecoming, but warm embrace could help heal wounds | The Athletic

The Stephen Curry pregame speech that was scrapped, as Thompson shared, when the Splash Brothers exchanged text messages the night before and decided to pull it from the script.

According to league sources, Thompson’s message to his old team heading into his night of celebration was that less was more. But the Warriors, who were determined to pay homage to the massive part he played in their dynastic run in first-class fashion, pulled out all the stops anyway. This reunion game, one in which the Warriors went to such great lengths to honor the 13 years of memories between them, was bound to be uncomfortably ironic.

What we learned as late rally fuels Warriors’ win in Klay’s return | NBC Sports Bay Area

An invitation to competition always brings the best out of Green. With all eyes on Curry and Thompson, the fiery side of the Warriors’ Big Three for more than a decade was locked in from the start. Before having to exit the first quarter early after getting hit in the last place any man wants to take a blow, Green put on a clinic in the first quarter.

In seven-plus minutes, he was a plus-8 with five points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block with multiple contested shots. He also hit a three on Thompson and began chirping at him the moment it went through the net. Though the Warriors trailed by four at halftime, an energized Green was a plus-11.

The play of the first half, and perhaps the whole game, was Green’s hustle to block a three and save it from going out of bounds before hitting Melton for a layup.

Draymond Green explains the competitiveness between Klay Thompson and the Warriors

NBA News:

Spoelstra takes blame for ‘horrendous’ TO gaffe in Heat’s loss | ESPN

Erik Spoelstra blamed himself for a “horrendous mistake” after calling a timeout the Miami Heat didn’t have with 1.1 seconds left in overtime Tuesday night, a technical foul that gave the Detroit Pistons the tiebreaking free throw.

Malik Beasley made it and the Pistons went on to beat the Heat 123-121 on the opening night of NBA Cup play.

“I made just a serious mental error there at the end,” Spoelstra said. “That’s on me. I feel horrible about it.”

Bronny James plans to only play in South Bay Lakers’ home games during G League season: Source | The Athletic

The source close to Bronny, who confirmed ESPN’s reporting that the young James would only play home games in the G League, said simply that this was the “decision” made with regard to LeBron’s son.

The South Bay Lakers play 24 home games this season, with their next scheduled for Sunday against the Stockton Kings. Because Bronny is a rookie, the Lakers could theoretically unilaterally assign him to the G League, but obviously there is more to consider here given his father’s status with the Lakers and the NBA at large.

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich suffered a mild stroke but is expected to make a full recovery

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Player grades: Warriors vs. Mavs

Klay Thompson

33 minutes, 22 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls, 7-for-17 shooting, 6-for-12 threes, 2-for-2 free throws, 61.5% TS, -1

It was great, if highly emotional, to see Thompson back in the Bay Area, wearing another team’s jersey. And it felt like a twist on old times as he knocked down three after three in big moments.

More than anything, though, it was clear that Thompson made the right choice. He looked grateful and excited to be back, but not sad or regretful. He seems happier and more engaged on a new team than he had in the last few years. He embraced the opportunity to go up against Green and Curry, and you could see in all of their eyes and performances just how much they wanted to beat each other.

I miss watching him in a Warriors jersey, but it’s good to see him playing well and seemingly happy.

Grade: A+

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